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Salesian Missions NEWSLETTER 2015

OUR THANKSOur Newsletter is one way we stay in touch and

keep you informed of our activities. In the following pages you will find news from our

Salesian partners around the world, as well as details of some fundraising activities that have occurred in Australia.

The need for support continues to grow with requests for new projects.

All donations have the power to make a difference.

Salesian Missions OfficeAddress: 3 Middle Street, Ascot Vale, Victoria 3032

Postal Address: PO Box 264, Ascot Vale, Victoria 3032 Phone: 03 9377 6060

Email: [email protected] Website: http://asmoaf.salesians.org.au/

Helping youth build a better future.The Australian Salesian Mission Overseas Aid Fund

(ASMOAF) is a charitable work of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Australia.

2 Australian Salesian Mission Overseas Aid Fund

Salesian MissionsVisitors to ASMOAF

ASMOAF hosts a number of overseas visitors and in the past year they have included:

RomeFr Angel Artime Fernandez, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco.Fr Vaclav Klement, Regional, East Asia – Oceania.

CambodiaFr Roel Soto – Rector, Don Bosco Technical School, Phnom Penh.

FijiFr Taisali Leuluai, Rector, Suva.

India Fr Antony Vailatt, Don Bosco Missions, Bangalore.Fr Brian Diamond, New Delhi.

GuatemalaFr Tony De Groot, Alta Verapaz.

MyanmarFr Peter Myo Khin, Mandalay.

SamoaFr Mosese Tui, Principal, Don Bosco High School and Vocational Centre, Salelologa.Fr Chris Ford, Principal, Don Bosco Technical School, Alafua.

Timor LesteFr Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, Provincial.Fr Manuel Pinto, Rector, Don Bosco Training Centre, Comoro.

Whilst in Australia, the visiting Salesians discussed matters related to their current and future projects.

ASMOAF

Don Bosco’s Salesians have a presence in most countries of the developing world. They are working for the alleviation of poverty as well as providing assistance during emergencies such as natural disasters, war or violence.

The Australian Salesian Mission Overseas Aid Fund [ASMOAF] assists in this work. While it is a small overseas aid agency with a permanent office staff of three, Olga Elliott, Tina Newton and myself, we are in regular contact with a high percentage of supporters and donors.

Donors mostly specify the projects they wish to support and we ensure that their wishes are complied with. A few months ago after Vanuatu was severely damaged by Cyclone Pam, several telephone calls were received from people wishing to donate funds to support this disaster. As the Salesians are not present in Vanuatu, we directed them to other relief agencies who could assist in this area.

The Salesians, however, have a significant presence in Nepal (earthquakes in April and May) and Myanmar (severe flooding in July and August). We have been pleased to accept donations to help their relief programs. Continuing support is needed in both countries.

ASMOAF benefits greatly from its membership of the Australian Council for International Development [ACFID], the umbrella body of the major overseas aid organisations in Australia. Regular meetings and training sessions help ASMOAF to maintain high standards of accountability and transparency.

Regarding bequests: Please remember ASMOAF in your Will. A bequest is an excellent way to continue your support of Don Bosco’s work. Through a bequest you are able to help save lives and assist disadvantaged children affected by war, poverty and disaster. For further information, please call the Salesian Missions Office or visit our website:

http://asmoaf.salesians.org.au/Finally, I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the

help Salesian Missions received from Mr. John Elliott of Chadstone, a volunteer for the past seven years. John, who helped with research and the preparation of documents, died in June. May he rest in peace. ASMOAF is deeply indebted to him.

Br Michael LynchDirector

FRONT COVER

Electrical wiring students from Don Bosco Technical School, Fatumaca, Timor Leste.

Fr Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, Provincial, Timor.

Fr Antony Vailatt, Don Bosco Missions, Bangalore, India.

Br Michael Lynch and Fr Angel Artime Fernandez, Rector Major.

Salesian Missions

Australian Salesian Mission Overseas Aid Fund 3

To Friends of Salesian Missions,

“Without you we can’t do anything !”

I am pleased to greet you in this Jubilee Year . We are celebrating the 200th Birthday of Don Bosco who believed strongly the future of human society depends on the education of youngsters.

Last June we were blessed by the visit of Pope Francis to the Salesian ‘cradle’ in Turin, Italy. Whenever the Argentinian born Pontiff meets the Rector Major he never fails to say ‘Don’t forget Patagonia !!’ – Patagonia, in Argentina, was Don Bosco’s first overseas mission in 1879.

Today the Salesians are working in 132 countries, most of which have limited education facilities. The young need to be taught and trained in primary skills to help themselves and others to build a better society.

To the friends and donors of Don Bosco’s Salesian Missions Australia: ‘Your support is vital; with your help we have been able to achieve much.’May God bless you.

With the young and for the young

On 24 June this year, Pope Francis wrote an official Letter to the Rector Major and the whole Salesian Family on the occasion of the Bicentenary of the Birth of Saint John Bosco (1815-2015).

In his letter, he described Don Bosco as a man who surrendered himself totally to God and to the young in one and the same act of love which “led him to ‘go out’ and take courageous decisions: the decision to devote himself to poor youth with the aim of giving rise to a vast movement of poor people for poor people; and the decision to extend this service beyond the boundaries of language, race, culture and religion, thanks to his tireless missionary impulse.”

The Pope then exhorted the whole Salesian Family in the following words:

“The Church has great expectations concerning the care of the young; great too is the charism that the Holy Spirit bestowed on St. John Bosco, a charism that has been carried forward by the Salesian Family with a passionate dedication to the youth of all continents and a flowering of numerous priestly, religious and lay vocations. I therefore cordially encourage you to take up the legacy of your founder and father with the Gospel radicalism that he made his own in his thinking, speaking and acting, with a proper competence and a generous spirit of service, like Don Bosco, with the young and for the young.”

I firmly believe that this clarion call of Pope Francis has been enthusiastically taken up and wholeheartedly lived out by the Director, Staff, volunteers, helpers, partners and benefactors of the Salesian Missions Office through their great missionary endeavours and their significant support of the Australian Salesian Mission Overseas Aid Fund (ASMOAF) over many, many decades.

Indeed, in the very words of Pope Francis, they have devoted themselves to poor youth; they have extended this service beyond the boundaries of language, race, culture and religion; they have been motivated by a tireless missionary impulse, and they have been characterised by a passionate dedication to the youth of all continents and a generous spirit of service, like Don Bosco, with the young and for the young. For this we thank them most sincerely!

Finally, they are classic examples of the popular saying “From little things big things grow” in their efforts to address the plight of the poor throughout the world and to enhance the status of the young in the society of today. Bosco would be truly proud of them in this the Bicentenary Year of his Birth!

Fr Greg Chambers SDB Provincial, Chair of the ASMOAF Board

Fr Vaclav Klement, SDBRegional, East Asia

and Oceania


MyanmarMyanmar has been hit by heavy monsoon rains in July and August 2015 causing widespread flooding throughout the country.

The relentless rains in the upper regions have triggered landslides that have demolished houses. Water has flowed to the plains causing muddy dangerous road conditions, broken bridges and vast swamps. As a result there is massive homelessness, starvation and vulnerability to infectious diseases.

The floods have destroyed paddy fields and other crops that are usually harvested in September – December; this will mean a great shortage of food in future months. In addition , large numbers of farmers will be denied their only source of income.

The Salesians have ten communities in Myanmar, five of which are in relatively remote areas. They are helping with emergency relief. Food, mosquito nets, mats, containers for drinking water, pots and pans are needed in all centres.

In Myitkyina, Frs Bosco and Victor are helping distribute food and are assisting those re-building their houses.

In Kale, Frs Camillus and Alphonse, with a large group of students are involved in clearing roads as well as helping clean water tanks and wells.

In Yangon and Mandalay, Salesians are involved in distributing food and medications to those severely affected by the floods.

Myanmar will continue to need help for some time.

Fr Charles Saw - Provincial

Widespread flooding

Nepal

Nepal was devastated by earthquakes on April 25 and May 12, 2015

Nepal is a landlocked country, bordering China to the north and India to the south.

With a population of about 27 million, the nation is one of the poorest in the world.

The earthquakes flattened villages; about 10,000 were killed and 25,000 injured; hundreds of thousands were left homeless.

The Don Bosco Relief Team has worked tirelessly since the initial earthquake.

In the first week they visited ten villages in four of the 29 affected districts, distributing food, tents and tarpaulins to 2,350 families. They focused their relief effort in areas which received little or no aid from Government and other Non Government Organisations.

The Don Bosco Team received financial help from Salesian Mission Offices in several countries, including Australia.

The needs of children and young people are Number One priority. The Salesian Team have helped government schools, building temporary learning centres in 25 of them and distributed high quality tin sheets for roofing to a further 90 schools in remote areas.

In addition, the Salesians are inviting youth from remote areas to enroll in the Don Bosco Technical School in Kathmandu to be trained in building reconstruction so they can return to their villages to help with the massive job of rebuilding.

Nepal is going to need support over the next few years.


Earthquake devastation


More than 200 young men and women are enrolled at Don Bosco Rural Training Centre.

Courses are offered on crop production, care of livestock and life skills to enable students to return to their Provinces with better farming and organisational knowhow.

The Centre recently marked its 10 year anniversary with a large youth gathering in which more than 500 participated. The program included talks on leadership, young people taking responsibility for the future of their nation, numerous sporting activities (including soccer, netball, volleyball) and a vibrant concert to showcase a variety of talents.

Fr Joseph Cong Thanh

Solomon Islands

TETERE - Don Bosco Rural Training Centre

HENDERSON - Don Bosco Technical Institute Don Bosco Technical Institute, Henderson continues to provide training

in automotive, electrical, carpentry, machine fitting and life skills for more than 200 young men and women.

We are very appreciative of the Salesian Missions’ assistance in purchasing workshop materials and construction of a basketball court.

Recently we built a dwelling with six flats for staff accommodation. To provide a regular supply for the homes we had to pump water from the catchment tanks into an over-head container. This was done with ASMOAF support.

Fr Dominic Kachira

The Salesian Sisters, Henderson

The Salesian Sisters’ Hostel provides safe accommodation for 36 young women, from economically deprived backgrounds, who have come to Honiara for university and other studies. A measure of its success is that there are never any vacancies as there is always a ‘waiting list.’

Responding to a local ‘need’ and numerous requests, we are providing a five-month Home Economics Course for women from disadvantaged backgrounds who have had very little formal education. (In the Solomon Islands only 20 per cent of female adults are literate.)

There are classes in basic literacy, numeracy, computing, dress making, cooking and health awareness. The women learn practical skills with textiles and sewing, home and small business management.

Sr Anna Maria Gervasoni

GIZOBishop Luciano Capelli has an extensive education program underway

in the Diocese of Gizo. This includes improving school facilities to enable more children to attend school as well as training courses. ASMOAF has helped cover the cost of freighting building materials and educational items donated by the Bishop’s friends in Western Australia.

The four Salesian Centres, the Don Bosco Technical Institute Henderson, Don Bosco Rural Training Centre Tetere, Bishop Luciano Capelli in the Gizo Diocese and the Salesian Sisters at Henderson are making a significant contribution to the education of youth and young adults.


Don Bosco Technical High School in Salelologa (Savai’i) is now well established.

In the past year there has been a significant increase in both girls and boys attending the school with total enrolments now just under 300.

Our work experience program enables students to meet potential employers and use skills they have learned. One example is Tinisi Timani who had participated in work experience with a major distributor of building materials; she is now a final year student and completing a course in plumbing and sheet metal.

The Don Bosco School is an important community centre in Salelologa. Outside school-hours, the facilities are used for meetings, conferences, on-going education, youth gatherings and sport. Twice weekly there are Youth Centre public speaking activities.

Now in its fifth year, the school is in need of additional facilities. We are hoping to build a multi- purpose hall/ gymnasium in the future.

Fr Mosese Tui, Principal

SALELOLOGA - Don Bosco High School

Don Bosco Technical Centre has a broadly based curriculum, offering technical training programs.

The basic trades course provides an introduction to carpentry and joinery, welding and metal fabrication, plumbing, electrical and electronics and motor mechanics.

Most of the 180 young men enrolled are from poor or socially disadvantaged backgrounds. An overwhelming majority of graduates secure employment; this indicates the success of the courses offered.

In addition, the Centre is involved in a wide range of community and sporting activities, which encourages social interaction.

ASMOAF funds were used to ensure the overall operation of the project, including staff training, wages, administration and workshop expenses.

Fr Chris Ford - Principal

ALAFUA - Don Bosco Technical Centre

Samoa


FUILORO - Don Bosco Agricultural College

More than 85% of Timor Leste’s population live on income generated by agriculture and farming. This is a testament to how important Don Bosco Agricultural College is in not only educating its students, but in its capacity to support the country’s major industry.

With ASMOAF assistance we have improved the overall farming setup including livestock and the cultivation of vegetables as well as undertaking necessary maintenance.

We have revised the agricultural school program and recruited new experienced staff.

Fr Antonio Trans Pinto, Rector

Medical Clinic Maria Auxiliadora

During 2014 the Maria Auxiliadora Medical Clinic had in excess of 7300 patient consultations – an increase of 7% when compared with 2013.

We serve people in Venilale and eight surrounding villages. Our central focus continues to be on babies and children, tuberculosis patients, treatment of diseases, natural family planning (Billings Ovulation Method) as well as health education programs in the local schools.

Common health issues included malaria, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, hypertension, malnutrition (especially in children), skin diseases, musculoskeletal, asthma, urinary and lung disorders.

ASMOAF’s financial support has enabled us to pay staff, purchase medications, cover the cost of fuel for the vehicle and clinic maintenance. In addition we have welcomed the equipment and items such as bandages, gloves, gauze etc. sent in the containers.

Sr Carolina M. Correia, Co-ordinator, Medical Clinic.

BALIDE - Salesian Sisters

There are currently 90 young women and men participating in the secretarial/computer course, although we only have 26 computers ! The students are primarily from rural areas; they have come to Dili seeking employment and then realize that they need more work-related skills. I am pleased to say that a high proportion of them do secure a position soon after graduation.

Sr Alexandrina Pinto.

LAGA - St John Bosco School

St John Bosco Junior High School, Laga, provides education to young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. In the past year donations have helped pay teachers’ salaries, staff in-service training and the renovation of the education centre. A new toilet block was built, as this is very important for gender-related, health and hygiene reasons.

Fr Manuel Ximenes, Parish Priest

Timor-Leste

Salesian Sisters Orphanage

The Orphanage cares for about 100 girls aged between 6 - 16. Finance is a constant ‘problem’. As well as the ordinary day to day costs, there are additional expenses associated with necessary repairs and improvements. It is our hope, in the next 12 months, to upgrade the living conditions in the dormitories and renovate the kitchen so that cooking will be unaffected by rain and other weather conditions.

With help and encouragement from Mr Barry Walsh of Toowoomba, the girls have been involved in successfully growing a good crop of vegetables.

Sr Evangelina Xavier


MALIANA - Don Bosco Technical School

Don Bosco Co-educational Technical High School, Maliana is now in its second year. There are 64 students, all of whom live on campus in the school’s boarding houses.

Currently, all students are participating in the General Electricity course. Additional technical subjects will be offered next year.

The school is already an important social and educational centre for meetings and youth gatherings in Maliana and the surrounding villages. There are plans for the facilities to be used during school vacations, for short courses.

Br Marcal Lopes - Principal

FATUMACA - Don Bosco Technical School

The Don Bosco Technical School Fatumaca with specialized courses in carpentry, mechanics and electronics, has an enrolment close to 250, of which about 11% are girls.

An FM radio and television station, set up in the school with the help of Mr Tony Jurd, an electronics engineer from Canberra and supported by ASMOAF has been a great bonus to the community. Managed entirely by teachers and students, the two stations provide electronics students with ‘hands on’ experience of broadcasting and operating the facilities.

Transmitting to a radius of about 30 km, the television programs include locally produced Tetum material, educational sessions and local information. The students have installed secondhand television sets (freighted from Australia) enabling the surrounding villages to receive the broadcasts.

The radio station operates daily over a radius of about 50 km with news, community announcements, music and songs in Tetum, English, Portuguese and Indonesian.

Our school is grateful for assistance with school materials including workshop tools, electronic and electrical components as well as musical and sporting equipment.

Br Adriano de Jesus - Principal

COMORO - Don Bosco Training Centre

Don Bosco Technical Training Centre, Comoro, offers one-year courses in Automotive, General Construction and Office Administration to about 200 young adults, aged 18 to 25, of which approximately 40% female.

The Building Construction Course that includes training in carpentry, welding, plumbing, masonry and electricity, was set up with the help of South Australian TAFE Colleges.

The students are from all districts. Most have had very limited educational opportunities; Don Bosco Comoro is providing them with the chance to acquire employment related skills.

Upon completion of the course, about 35% return to their home villages and a reasonable number of the remainder secure employment in Dili.

The Centre is appreciative of the support provided by the Australian Ron Archer Trust and John Herbert Foundation for their sponsorship of students.

Fr Manuel Pinto, Rector


BANGALORE The large number of children and young people on the

streets is still a major ‘problem’ in many parts of India. Most have run away from their homes in the villages and travel by train to a large city.

Don Bosco Gulbarga (Karnataka) reached out to more than 700 street children last year offering them ‘On the street’ classes, counseling, sporting activities and programs in de-addiction and motivation for the possibility of residential rehabilitation.

The Don Bosco Boys’ Home in Kollam (Kerala) provides accommodation and care for 150 destitute boys, some of whom are orphans and others from dysfunctional backgrounds.

At Bidar the focus is on helping prevent child labour and their exploitation. The Don Bosco Project assists both girls and boys from the local villages to participate in mainstream education and undertake courses that will lead to employment.

Don Bosco Prakashpalaya (Karnataka) is a regular K-12 school for the rural poor. The fee structure is very low; current enrolments are just under 700.

These programs and others have been made possible with the help received from our friends in Australia.

Fr Antony Vailatt

CHENNAISeveral projects for the ‘relief of poverty’ for women

and children were initiated by Don Bosco Kadambur.Each of the 18 womens’ Self-Help groups organized

‘thift and savings’ seminars that were very successful. In addition there were community based training sessions in de-addiction programs, healthy living and adult literacy.

A large percentage of local youth are from disadvantaged Tribal backgrounds. A summer camp is organised with sessions on personal development, inter-personal communication, vocational guidance, and English language coaching.

Fr Raphael Jayapalan

IndiaMUMBAI

Our Mumbai Office has many projects ‘on the go.’ Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, a social service centre, at Khedgaon in Ahmednagar, has over the past year assisted young women to continue their education beyond high school.

Courses are provided in tailoring, dressmaking, hairdressing and personal development. In addition the women were provided with a financial management overview as well as guidelines for ‘running a home-based small business’ including information on how to negotiate a bank loan. This has been a very successful venture.

Fr Edwin D’Souza

VIETNAMFunds from ASMOAF transferred to Vietnam have

assisted Salesians, local priests and the Sisters with several projects for poverty stricken people, including minority groups.

In the flood affected Thanh Hoa Province, in the north, many homes were destroyed and large numbers lost all their possessions. Donors from Brisbane helped finance emergency relief: food, clothing, shelter, containers for water etc.

A number of families from the under privileged ethnic minority Nguoi Thuong (mountain people) in Kontum Province (central Vietnam) were helped build their houses and a given a cow.

A six-month informal Home Economics Program for young women in the Phan Rang Province (south) has been organized by the Sisters. Upon completion of courses in sewing, dressmaking, cooking, hygiene and personal development, the majority of the young women return to their villages.


NEW DELHIWe have recently initiated a new project called Mobile

Medical Care for street children in New Delhi, through the introduction of a Mobile Van.

The Van is staffed by a medical team consisting of a doctor, nurse, social worker and driver. They regularly visit 11 locations in the city where large numbers of youth on the streets tend to congregate and live in makeshift shelters called Jugees.

Free check-ups and medication is provided for those under the age of 18 .Malnutrition is the most common problem, other medical conditions treated include: malaria, traumatic injury, upper respiratory infection, scabies, abdominal pain, abscess, seizure disorders, conjunctivitis, anemia, viral fever and infected wounds.

The medical team also runs sessions with youngsters on health and hygiene, explaining preventive measures that can be taken to maintain a healthy body and mind. Many of the children need information and counselling on substance abuse including alcohol, chewing tobacco, drugs, gutkha and sniffing correction fluid.

The Mobile Team covers four locations per day – two in the morning and two in afternoon, with an average of 20 – 25 children availing themselves of the service at each site.

We are grateful for the support received.

Fr Jose Mathew

MONGOLIA “The science laboratory has been completed

and essential equipment purchased. You can imagine how happy teachers and students are! It’s a dream come true! Thanks also for your support of students from very poor backgrounds and our teacher in-service education program.”

Br Andrew Tran Le Phuong, Principal, Don Bosco Technical School Ulaanbaatar.

FROM THE MAIL BAGLetter from Australian Consul General in MongoliaBr Michael LynchSalesian Missions Australia

Dear Brother Michael

I am writing to you in my position as Consul General of Australia in Mongolia.I believe the Catholic Church in Australia has provided invaluable funding to the Don Bosco School here.It is my pleasure to relate that I visited the school last Friday along with one of my diplomatic colleagues, Mr Joel Cachet who is the Honorary Consul for Belgium.

The work by the school faculty and Father Andrew and Brother Andrew is highly impressive.In short, they provide vocational education in five relevant streams including auto mechanics, sewing, construction and plumbing to more than 200 students from poor backgrounds.The good spirit, hard work and politeness exhibited by the students was clearly evident.The funding from your donors has clearly been much needed and put to good use. I believe you might appreciate hearing this firsthand view.

Best Regards,

Tony BurchillConsul General.

The Salesians are assisting the children of migrants in Ho Chi Minh City with classes in basic literacy and numeracy and an informal education program at the weekends. The children do not qualify for admission into local schools.

Fr Anthony Quang Nguyen


GUATEMALA Our work is with the indigenous Q’eqchi Indians

in remote villages in the mountainous region of Alta Verapaz, north of Guatemala City.

There are more than 800 students in the Don Bosco Centre. We offer a three-year course in basic school subjects, as well as providing technical training in skills that are useful in the local economy.

It is only through education that the youth in these mountain communities will break the cycle of poverty and improve their lives. A large percentage of the students have successfully gained employment as a result of their upskilling abilities in carpentry, welding and electrical wiring.

The Centre also has teacher education courses that prepare teachers for schools in the villages.

Fr Tony De Groot, SDB

BANGLADESH The Salesians have been in Bangladesh since 2009.

Securing support for our ever-growing youth centre is quite a challenge. On Fridays and Sundays large numbers of girls and boys are in attendance, who would otherwise be roaming the streets. Our facilities, however are rather sparse. The locals play football in the rainy season, however as our ‘football field’ was, until recently, a paddy field, it means games are played on a swampy surface.

Covering the running costs of the hostels for girls and boys attending our schools is a major concern as the youngsters are all from economically poor backgrounds.

Fr Andre Belo

SOUTH SUDAN - JUBA:

With the widespread unrest, riots and overall insecurity, our focus in the Gumbo Parish has been to help Internally Displaced Persons. We are currently providing emergency accommodation for more than 2,000: women, children, widowers from about 340 families from three different States. Breakfast for school children, medical care, milk for infants, and school stationery are our priorities. We have been able to do this work because of funds received from abroad. Your on-going support is needed for the year ahead.

Fr David Tulimelli, SDB Parish Priest, Gumbo, Juba

CABRA ACADEMY SCHOOLS:

The Cabra Schools in the Wau Diocese, set up by Deng Chuor and his associates, are doing reasonably well despite the civil unrest in the country. Obtaining sufficient money to keep the schools functioning is not easy and is always a challenge. We are very grateful to the Australian donors who have donated funds to help us keep the project flame burning bright. While sacrifices made by teachers is a key factor in the survival of the Cabra Schools, it is a major concern at present that many have worked without pay for the past six to seven months.

Mr Marko Anei Apath, Director, Cabra Academy

SUDAN - KHARTOUM:

The ‘internal war’ and unrest in South Sudan has meant that considerable numbers of displaced persons have come to Khartoum as refugees, many of whom are located close to St Joseph’s Technical School. With donated funds we have been able to provide some assistance with food and lodgings. We are actively encouraging parents to send their children to school and we are organising some food for them. We have been able to help arrange employment opportunities for a few; however the overwhelming majority of the refugees are unable to obtain permanent work in Sudan. I hope Salesian Mission Australia will continue to help us.

Fr Mathew Job, SDB, Administrator,St Joseph’s Technical School, Khartoum.


ETHIOPIA

I am an Italian born Salesian who has been Ethiopia for 33 years. Soon after I arrived, in 1984 – 85, there was a severe famine in which 1.4 million people died of hunger and sickness. Brothers Cesare Bullo and Joseph Reza spearheaded a relief and resettlement operation that has been immortalized by the song “We are the world, we are the children.”

I am currently based in Addis Abeba where there are large numbers of children on the streets, most of whom have run away from home and others who have been abandoned. Bosco Children Centre is a refuge for these youngsters who are poor and destitute. They live with us for three years during which they go to school or learn a trade and we help them to re-unite with their families.

Fr Angelo Regazzo

I am working as a volunteer with the Salesians in Ethiopia, helping in the Don Bosco School and Youth Centre in Soddo. Sunday is a special day. As well as the usual activities, energy biscuits are also distributed.

On a recent Sunday when I arrived at the centre, there was a large number of children were waiting outside. After the gates were opened there was a great rush to get the various items of sporting equipment, footballs, basketballs, volleyballs etc. The atmosphere was great; the youngsters were joyful and cheerful.

There was a break in proceedings. I was given the job of distributing a small packet of biscuits to each child ! After a short prayer and with the help of the local Salesians we (more or less) had the 600 children line up in a reasonably orderly manner. As they walked away to continue their games I was really impressed by the happy smiles on the faces of these young people. Seeing this, I thought, was worth the price of my ticket to Ethiopia.

Thomas Marchesi

2015 Genazzano Immersion ProgramNine Year 10 students and two staff from Genazzano FCJ College in

Melbourne visited Timor Leste for ten days in May 2015. Staying with Sister Alexandrina FMA and the Salesian Sisters in

Balide (Dili) on our first and final nights in Timor Leste helped us feel comfortable in the country. Most of our time was in the Laga District; Fr Manuel Ximenes SDB (Parish Priest) and the other Salesians were most welcoming.

We learnt so much from the Timorese people. The children are infectiously full of life, positive, compassionate and affectionate; we formed strong bonds with them.

From the adults we learnt about religion, culture, customs, strengths and how to treat others with respect.

We visited a number of villages. In Larifanu and Buigiera the schools consisted of just a few classrooms. The students are grouped into classes with children of similar ages; teaching is centred on the blackboard.

Many families live in run-down little houses. The children have few possessions.

There was pure joy on a child’s face once we gave them a tennis ball or a sticker, took photographs of them, or just blew bubbles together.

The language barrier was ‘not a problem’. We played hand-clapping games, soccer, basketball and skipping using sports equipment we brought with us. We sang songs in both English and Tetum and taught them dances - the Macarena, the Hokey Pokey and the Chicken Dance, all of which they were keen to repeat over and over!

Attending Mass in Timor Leste was very different for us. Each hymn sung at the Mass at Laga Parish Church was so powerful; even the small children participated enthusiastically in the Eucharist.

Overall, a truly unforgettable experience for us during which we were made to feel incredibly welcome.

Sophie Zebrowski (Year 10)

AVE MARIA COLLEGE The ‘sister relationship’ that Ave Maria College, Aberfeldie, Vic has

with the Salesian Sisters’ St Mary Mazzarello High School in Venilale, Timor Leste, is progressing well. The College’s Annual Ball last June and other fund raising efforts have provided valuable financial support. The funds helped to pay teacher salaries; school materials and sporting equipment have been freighted in the container. Sr Virgilia Freitas, Principal, writes “We are looking forward to welcoming Ave Maria teachers and students in September 2015.”

Financials


ASMOAF Privacy StatementSalesian Missions Australia is committed to

protecting the privacy of donors and correspondents. Any information provided to us remains private

and confidential. Our contact list is not rented, sold or exchanged.

DONORS’ WISHESIndividual donors may earmark their donation for a specific country or project

STAMPS – Salesian Missions, PO Box 264, Ascot Vale Vic 3032 collects used stamps for fundraising purposes. Funds raised are dispersed for education and relief purposes in Samoa, Guatemala and Timor Leste.

INCOME A$

General Donations and Bequests 2,718,047 Donations for Religious Purposes 94,760 Interest 22,158 2,834,965

1. Development & Education 1,314,498

2. Relief & Rehabilitation 885,190

3. Religious Projects 146,892

4. Community Education 81,343

5. Fundraising 46,182

6. Administration 161,794

7. Other Project Costs 17,672

TOTAL 2,653,5712,653,571

2,121,865 FUNDS AVAILABLE

January 1, 2014 1,006,258 December 31, 2014 1,187,652

1

2

3

45

76

CAGLIERO PROJECT The Cagliero Project offers 6-12 months volunteer-abroad

experiences to people across Australia. The volunteers work in Salesian centres as teachers in

schools, carers in orphanages and mentors in youth centres, using their skills and talents to assist disadvantaged youth.

Since 2008 the Cagliero Project has sent more than thirty volunteers to Salesian communities in Thailand, Cambodia, Samoa, Zambia and the Solomon Islands. For further information: www.cagliero.org.au.

EXPENDITURE

Br Michael Lynch, Director, ASMOAF

Mrs Olga ElliottOffice Manager

Mrs Tina Newton Admin Assistant

Staff Members

The Governing Board of ASMOAF (2014)

Fr Gregory Chambers Chairman

Fr Bernard Graham Deputy Chairman

Fr Anthony Nguyen (Provincial Economer)

Br Michael Harris Fr Mosese TuiFr Philip Gleeson

Salesian Province Centre P O Box 264 Ascot Vale Vic 3032

Financials


A copy of the audited financial statementsmay be obtained from: The Office Manager, Salesian Missions Office

ASMOAF Privacy StatementSalesian Missions Australia is committed to

protecting the privacy of donors and correspondents. Any information provided to us remains private

and confidential. Our contact list is not rented, sold or exchanged.

DONORS’ WISHESIndividual donors may earmark their donation for a specific country or project

Audit Opinion

In my opinion the Financial Report represents a true and fair view of the financial position of the Austra1ian Salesian Mission Overseas Aid Fund as at the 31 December 2014 and complies with the format required by the ACFID Code of Conduct.

Yours faithfully

Kevin F Jones, FCA Chartered AccountantApril 14, 2015

INTEGRITYVALUESACCOUNTABILITY

Salesian Society (Vic)Inc. is a signatory to theAustralian Council forInternational DevelopmentCode of Conduct.

The Code sets out thestandards of governance,management, financialcontrol and reportingwith which non-governmentdevelopment organisations must comply to maintain membership of ACFID.

The Code aims to enhancestandards to ensure thatpublic confidence ismaintained in the waycommunity contributionsto overseas aid are usedto reduce poverty througheffective and sustainabledevelopment.

Compliance with theCode is met by submittingan annual report forassessment againstestablished criteriaand completing a selfassessmentprocess designed by ACFID.

For more information go to www.acfid.asn.au

Every effort is made tokeep the administrationcosts as low as possibleso as to maximisefunds sent abroadfor education anddevelopment projects.

1. Development & Education 1,314,498

2. Relief & Rehabilitation 885,190

3. Religious Projects 146,892

4. Community Education 81,343

5. Fundraising 46,182

6. Administration 161,794

7. Other Project Costs 17,672

TOTAL 2,653,5712,653,571

2,121,865 FUNDS AVAILABLE

January 1, 2014 1,006,258 December 31, 2014 1,187,652

Expenditure for the Year ended December 31, 2014 Payments to Administration Development Relief & Religious Total Overseas Partners & Education Rehabilitation Purposes $

Asia

India 0 181,821 164,312 100,922 447,055

Timor Leste 0 303,426 360,931 34,844 699,201

Vietnam 0 0 141,475 5,011 146,486

Philippines 0 10,745 60,864 0 71,609

Pakistan 0 13,863 640 0 14,503

Myanmar 0 56,397 0 150 56,547

Indonesia 0 85 0 0 85

Sri Lanka 0 3,247 0 0 3,247

Thailand 0 760 50 0 810

Cambodia 0 10,433 0 0 10,433

Mongolia 0 18,926 0 0 18,926

Africa

Ethiopia 0 0 36,285 0 36,285

Kenya & Matercare 0 485 3,511 0 3,996

Sudan 0 88,720 11,421 314 100,455

Swaziland 0 0 23,185 0 23,185

Egypt 0 0 0 0 0

Zambia 0 710 50 0 760

Central America

Guatemala 0 378,950 0 500 379,450

Haiti 0 0 134 101 235

South America

Ecuador 0 5,727 0 85 5,812

Pacific

Samoa 0 193,113 8,000 4,965 206,078

Papua New Guinea 0 2,032 0 0 2,032

Solomon Islands 0 44,224 63,137 0 107,361

Fiji 0 834 0 0 834

Payments in Australia

Community Education 17,672 0 0 0 17,672

Fundraising 148,678 0 0 0 148,678

Administration 94,459 0 11,195 0 105,654

Project Support Costs 46,182 0 0 0 46,182

Total Payments 306,991 1,314,498 885,190 146,892 2,653,571

Dear Friends,

“Helping youth in difficulty”

This year we celebrate the bi-centenary of the birth of St John Bosco, founder of the Salesians, who dedicated his life to helping youth in difficulty.

He is known as the apostle of youth because of his passion for helping young people who were disadvantaged because of the lack of education and the opportunity to acquire employment-related skills.

Born in Becchi, near Turin, Italy on August 16, 1815, John Melchior Bosco was ordained a priest in 1841.

As a young cleric actively involved in helping street children and juvenile delinquents, Fr John Bosco founded a Religious Congregation of priests and brothers in 1859. He called them “Salesians” taking the name from the saint he wanted as its patron, St Francis of Sales. In 1872, with St Mary Mazzarello, he founded a Congregation for women.

Today there are more than 27,000 Salesian priests, brothers and sisters working with youth in 132 countries, most of which are nations in which a high proportion of the population live in great poverty.

Pope Francis recently commended the Salesian work through the Bosco method of reason, kindness and religion which especially assisted the fragile young who are at risk of addiction, suicide and depression.

I thank you for your support of Don Bosco’s work in the developing world. While compared to many other overseas aid agencies we are small, I know the projects we assist are effective in helping young people become skilled and grow in self-reliance.

I have no doubt we are truly ‘making a difference’ by providing aid to youth who, through no fault of their own are both disadvantaged and in difficulty.

Let us continue to prayer for each other,

Yours sincerely in St John Bosco,

Br Michael Lynch SDB

Please send your donation to:

SALESIAN MISSIONS PO Box 264 Ascot Vale Victoria 3032 AustraliaPh: 03 9377 6060Fax: 03 9377 6066Email:[email protected]

Salesian Missions:Australian Salesian MissionOverseas Aid Fund (ASMOAF)

Salesian Society (Vic) Inc.ABN 43 206 946 086Endorsed as a deductible gift recipient(Subdiv. 30-BA ITAS 1997, item 1)

Enclosed please find my donation $ for the support of (name of mission project)

OR: Please debit my - (tick one) o Visa o Mastercard Amount $

Card Number:

Cardholder’s Signature: Expiry Date:

Name: Phone:

Address: P/code:

Email Address:Donations for the alleviation of poverty through development projects are tax-deductible. Funds contributed for religious purposes such as the building of churches and the education of seminarians, though welcome, do not qualify for a tax-deductible receipt.

This donation is for (tick one) o Alleviation of poverty o Religious purposes

Please insert your Donor Number (Please refer to covering letter)

ASMOAF – SALESIAN MISSIONS PO Box 264 ASCOT VALE Vic 3032

A bequest is one way of giving disadvantaged youth a real chance…

Another way of contributing is with a bequest in support of Don Bosco’s work for disadvantaged youth in developing countries.

A bequest, often known as a legacy, is a gift included in a Will. Making a bequest in the name of ASMOAF is easy.

This act of generosity has an impact that can continue into future generations. If this idea interests you please discuss it with a solicitor to ensure your Will accurately reflects your wishes.

For further information please contact the Salesian Missions Office.

Donations can be made through our website http://asmoaf.salesians.org.au/ via the Make a Donation GiveNow icon.This is a secure website and a tax deductible receipt will be issued to your email address.

From the Director

Br Michael Lynch with students from the Don Bosco Orphanage Lospalos, Timor Leste. The students are

wearing uniforms donated by Dominic College, Glenorchy, Tasmania.

!

SALESIAN BULLETINThe Salesian Bulletin, a quarterly magazine of news, information and a range of articles, is available free of charge. If you would like to to be added to the mailng list, please inform the Salesian Mision Office.

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